When Phoenix Comicon kicks off this Memorial Day Weekend in Arizona, it will no longer depend on volunteers. Instead, the convention will transition over to paid staff.

Matthew Solberg, the convention director for Comicon and the chief executive of Square Egg Entertainment, revealed the news Tuesday after weeks of contentious debate surrounding a plan that would require volunteers to register and pay dues to a club Solberg was an equity partner in.

The decision came after several meetings with volunteers and others, and actually goes against what many volunteers had said they wanted, according to Solberg.

“After much deliberation, we have decided to shift to an all-paid staff in the operation of Phoenix Comicon and all events associated with Square Egg Entertainment, including Phoenix Fan Fest, Minnesota Fan Fest and Keen Halloween.

“We hope that many of those who assisted us (as volunteers) will apply for the new paid positions as we announce them.”